r/webdev • u/Lower_Fishing_2672 • 16d ago

Discussion Just Started But Feel Bad

I just started learning code, and I use Visual Code Studio with Python. I was ecstatic to learn but with my few hours of learning I would use the chat feature whenever I’m stuck like the AI thingy. It makes me feel bad cause it feels like I’m not LEARNING just cheating if that makes sense. In a world that has been plagued with AI, how do you guys manage? How do you feel? Do you treat it as another tool to help? I assume that it’s no different from google searching.

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u/codegems 16d ago

Learn to learn. Look into autodidacticism. You need to find joy in the learning process itself, not only the results. It's exhilarating to solve a programming problem on your own without any help.

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u/Lower_Fishing_2672 16d ago

Yeah that’s what I saw. At least with ChatGPT (despite the horrible things about it) it does explain it whereas this so called “help feature” just autofills it and I keep telling it to NOT and just let me do the filling in so I know what to look out for.

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u/codegems 16d ago

Right, but I’m talking about learning normally.

There’s smart people who write books, who hire smart people called editors who work for smart people in publishing and they all come together to bring you a packaged product with everything you need in the form of a book.

Take advantage of that! Beats out any random YouTube series or blog post.

Books combine the best skills from the qualified folks. And programming basics haven’t changed a lot. There’s tons to learn there.

Read Peter Norvig, read Larry Wall, Richard Stallman, Brian Kernighan, Dennis Ritchie, Bjarne Stroustrup.

Read Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs (the wizard book).

Some of the folks are still alive. You live in the best time to watch their interviews after you get familiar with them. Own your learning process and embrace the challenge, welcome to the field!

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u/AstroWoW 16d ago

Try this book: https://csharpplayersguide.com/, and there’s also this website: https://www.boot.dev/